HAMPTON, Va. (Sept. 21, 2017) – First year pharmacy students at Hampton University pledged to “stand for ideals while not compromising integrity” at Hampton University’s 16th annual Pharmacy School White Coat Ceremony.

Their pledge completed a ceremony marking the official welcome to 47 new Hampton University pharmacy students. School of Pharmacy Dean Dr. Anand Iyer gave the gathering a three-part challenge.

“Be accountable… be perseverant… and get licensed in 2021 by passing the NAPLEX (North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination) on your first attempt,” Iyer said.

Family, friends and fellow students raucously welcomed each student as each white coat was donned, symbolizing the transition from baccalaureate graduate to pharmacist candidate.

Before the students ceremonially donned their white pharmacist’s coats, they were given a few words of advice from the keynote speaker: Dr. Michael Bane, a light-hearted 2014 alumnus who is a pharmacy manager with Walgreen’s. His words of advice were met with laughter and cheers.

“My first lesson was: this is not undergraduate work,” Bane said. “I learned that I couldn’t cruise my way through this work.”

His final charge to the students was to be flexible.

“Do not be afraid to change,” he said. “The only thing that remains the same is change.”

After those words, the candidates recited a pledge that includes developing a sense of loyalty and duty, fostering professional competence through lifelong learning, and maintaining high ideals and professional attributes.